Diagnosis: The Kid Has Cancer

It has been confirmed that the results of Gary Carter's biopsy are positive for glioblastoma; in other words, brain cancer.

In a statement by doctor's Allan and Henry Friedman:

The results of biopsies performed on hte tumor in Gary Carter's brain have conclusively shown that Mr. Carter has a glioblastoma. While surgery is not a good option given the location of the tumor, we discussed an aggressive treatment plan with Mr. Carter and his family, which will include chemotherapy and radiation. Mr. Carter will be returning home to Florida to begin the next phase of his treatment, but we will continue to work closely with his medical team. Mr. Carter's youth, strong physical condition and fighting spirit will be to his advantage as his treatment commences. The outpouring of support for Mr. Carter has been incredible and we trust that his many friends and fans will join us in continuing to pray for him and his family.

As with any tragedy, especially to those of the Mets family, we here at 24 Hours From Suicide...A Day In The Life Of A Met Fan send our well wishes and prayers to Gary, Sandy and their children.

Source: ESPN

No Ike Davis for 3 more weeks

The injury to the ankle must have been pretty severe since its being reported that Ike must wear a boot to protect his ankle.  This will be at least for 3 more weeks. 

As per ESPN New YorkHead trainer Ray Ramirez told Collins he had "never seen" this long a recovery time for an injury of this type, according to the manager.

"If you look at the replay, it was ugly," Collins said. "I mean, that ankle got in a bad position. And I'm sure that bone driving down on that side like that is more severe obviously than we first anticipated."

Well lets see if Nick Evans makes the most of it since he will be odd man out once Ike returns in mid June..  

Lineup tonight  Pagan CF,Turner at 2nd. Beltran RF. Bay LF. Murphy 3b. Evans 1b. Thole c. Tejada ss. Dickey

Gary Carter In The Fight Of His Life

As we reported on May 21st, Gary Carter was found to have four tumors in his brain. We held off speculating and reporting until further information was available.

It was revealed that the the tumors in Carter's brain are believed to be malignant, but 100% confirmation won't be available for another week or so.

The tumors are inoperable since "it is like a snake of tumors that are connected across the back of the brain" (quoted from Carter's daughter Kimmy).

ESPN has been given the privilege of covering Carter's journey with access to daily journals. Some of the excerpts of interest are from his daughter Kimmy:

May 27 After the biopsy was completed this morning, we anxiously awaited news on what is causing Dad's tumors. It is with a heavy, yet hopeful heart, that I share with you the news that Dr. Friedman shared with our family early this afternoon...that he is 90% certain that the tumors are malignant. We won't know the official diagnosis until early to mid next week once the lab results come back. It was very hard for all of us to hear, as we have been hoping and praying that the tumors would be benign. Lots of tears have been shed in the hospital room today, and we are all a bit scared of the unknown. As we try to process this news, we are leaning on each other and the Lord for strength and courage. We understand that we have a long road ahead of us, and we're doing all we can to mentally, emotionally and spiritually prepare for the journey.

Although the tumors are inoperable, Dr. Friedman of Duke University Medical Center plans not to prolong Carter's life, but to cure him of the Grade 4 Glioblastoma.

The Carter family is appreciative of the love and support from such notable stars as: Duke Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski and former players Bert Blyleven, Jerry Royster, Howard Johnson, Hank Bower, Phil Niekro, Buddy Bell, and Tommy Hutton.

The Carter family is also appreciative of the support, prayers and well wishes of fans; the one's who cheered for him as a ballplayer, and those who pray for him to win the biggest game...life.

Source: Adam Rubin ESPN

Mets and Reyes bust out and beat Phillies 9-5

Jose Reyes had another great game yesterday. The Mets brass has a tough decision to make regarding Reyes but every game he has like yesterday we can only hope that it makes Alderson think twice before dealing the Mets superstar shortstop. 

Reyes had 2triples in the Mets win yesterday against the B Phillies .  The Phils had Ruiz,Utley and Howard on the pine for the Matinee.  

The Mets busted 17 hits and of course the  Machine Justin Turner bang otu a hit and a RBi. I wonder if the Mets will move him in a rbi spot anytime soon.

The Mets open  a 4 game set against the Pirates tonight. Sometime today or tonight the Mets willcheck out RA Dickey to see if he can go and pitch Tuesday night. He thinks he can but hey R A would bust through a wall if need be.

Murph Returns To 1B, Thole Behind The Dish, Niese Starts: Mets Lineup V. Phillies - May 29, 2011

Nick Evans had a very brief window the show he should be the Mets first baseman more frequently. Last night Evans was 0-3 last night in his 2011 Mets debut, following a poor night offensively and defensively for Daniel Murphy. Murphy will get today's start against Vance Worley and the Phillies.

The Mets, losers of their last 3 games and 6 of their last ten, look to salvage this series finale against the Cheesesteaks.

Today's Mets lineup (game time 1:10):

1. Reyes -SS (.324)
2. Turner -3B (.325)
3. Beltran - RF (.275)
4. Bay - LF (.234)
5. Murphy - 1B (.257)
6. Pagan - CF (.182)
7. Thole - C (.212)
8. Tejada - 2B (.267)
9. Niese - LSP (.111)

Sources: CBS Sportsline, Baseball Reference

Jose Reyes being Jose

Good morning all.  As we wait for the Mets to try to take 1 game against the Phillies there is a cool Q and A with Jose Reyes with Serby which you read here.

Reyes doesnt reveal much but you can tell he just loves playing the game. He is so affable and isnt worried about what can happen during the season and being part of trade rumors. 

Reyes still loves playing the game and isnt caught up in all the hype. He loves coming to the park. He loves living in NY .  

Of course when it comes to questions about free agency and if he wants 7 years like Carl Crawford got he just smiles and says hey thats not for me to worry about now. 

How can you not love this guy and everyone is going to miss him

Pagan Recalled, Misch Optioned, FMart Demoted, Dickey Update: Mets Lineup V. Phillies - May 27, 2011

Today the Mets recalled Angel Pagan from the disabled list and sent down corner outfielder Fernandeo Martinez. Pagan had been recovering from a strained oblique.

The Mets also promoted right handed pitcher Dale Thayer from Buffalo. To make room for Thayer, lefty Pat Misch (present day Nelson Figueroa) was optioned.

With Buffalo, Thayer was 2-0 with a 2.05 ERA and four saves.

RA Dickey is day-to-day with a partial tear of the planter facia in his right foot.

Tonight's Mets lineup V. the Phillies:

1. Reyes - SS
2. Turner - 3B
3. Beltran - RF
4. Bay - LF
5. Murphy - 1B
6. Pagan - CF
7. Paulino - C
8. Tejada - 2B
9. Capuano - LHP

Source: Adam Rubin

R A Dickey down

The Mets revoling door to the DL continues. R A Dickey crumpled when he went to cover first yesterday and had to betaken out of the game.

This will really hurt the Mets as Dickey has some sort of heel issue and was in a boot after the game. It is not his achillies tendon but he I am sure will be place on the DL before the Mets start the series with the Phillies tonight at Citi Field. 

Mets will have Angel Pagan back but to lose Dickey in a rotation that is thin to beging with is huge. Dickey might not have been pitching great but he is a gamer!

Mets Find Minority Partner & Beat The Cubs In Rain Shortened Game

News is breaking that the Mets have found a person interested in a minority share of the Mets, which is believed to be less than 49%. David Einhorn, President of Greenlight Capital, is the man.

Einhorn's investment will most likely be in the $200M range, which should help alleviate some of the Wilpon's financial woes. The investment will not include any stake in SNY. The investment most likely won't be enough to retain Jose Reyes, but that is another issue for another day.

In other news, the Mets defeated the Cubs 7-4 in a rain shortened 6.2 inning game. Dillon Gee is credited with his first career complete game victory.

Jose Reyes collected another 2 hits and scored a run. His average is now at .316 with an OBP of .366.

The other problem child, Carlos Beltran, was 2-3 with a double and a triple and 2 RBI.

The rubber game of this series concludes with a 2:20 afternoon game.

Sources: ESPN, ESPN Mets Blog

Mets Windy City Lineup Day 2: Mets Vs. Cubs - May 25, 2011

I'm tired of all the Mets off the field news, so instead of my normally whitty analysis and brilliant observations, here is today's Mets lineup:

1. Reyes - SS
2. Thole - C
3. Beltran - RF
4. Bay - LF
5. Murphy - 1B
6. Turner - 3B
7. Pridie - CF
8. Tejada - 2B
9. Gee - RSP

Sandy Alderson on WFAN said about Mets payroll: "Lets say we're at $140M now, this SI article mentioned 100, I expect to be somewhere in between."

Sorry, I'm a creature of habit as well as a glutton for punishment.

Wilpon Apologizes To Beltran & Reyes, Mets Respond With 11-1 Loss To Cubs

The Mets owner (for now) spoke to both Carlos Beltran and Jose Reyes before last night's game in Chicago, to either apologize or explain his published comments in the New Yorker.

As we all know, Wilpon, in his interview with Jeffrey Toobin in the New Yorker, said that some "schmuck" gave Beltran $119M and a 7 year contract, made fun on his called third strike thrown by Adam Wainwright in the 2006 NLCS, and said Beltran was only 65% - 70% of what he was.

As for Reyes, he said he was oft injured and not worth the Carl Crawford money, and he won't get paid that much.

Reyes handled the entire situation better than anyone else. After his conference call with Wilpon in manager Terry Collins' office, Reyes said:

“He’s the boss. He can say whatever he wants to.”

When asked if he spoke to Jeff Wilpon during the damage control process the day before, Reyes merely said that he wasn't sure if Wilpon called because he didn't answer his phone.

BEAUTIFUL!

Before the game, Collins addressed the troops, told them not to worry about any comments that were made. They were men and they were professional baseball players.

The Mets took the skipper's rallying cry to heart, and went out and played like the Bad News Bears in losing to the Cubs 11-1.

Jose Reyes' performance after this ordeal was a testament to this guys attitude. Jose was 2-4 and knocked in the Mets only run.

Beltran was 1-4.

The present "starting" catcher, Ronny Paulino, was awful, committing 2 errors and a passed ball.

Next year's RF - Fernando Martinez (?) had an error also, and was 0-1 after coming in for Jason Bay, who was removed due to a sore calf muscle.

Mr. Wilpon is entitled to his opinion. I agree with that. I also wasn't extremely bothered by his comments as I stated yesterday. The problem is that it was public, and he could very easily have lost his three best players.

I believe Wilpon loves owning the Mets. The problem is that he doesn't realize that he knows very little about how to handle his club and the fans that bleed ORANGE & BLUE. His public relations incompetence is astounding, and with one little interview with the New Yorker, he might very well have sealed his fate...just like he did with Jose and Carlos.

Sources: Andy McCullough - Star Ledger, Adam Rubin Twitter, CBS Sportsline, ESPN

Reyes' Days As A Met Dwindling, Fred To Cut Payroll, Slumping Bay Hits 4th: Mets Lineup Vs. Cubs - May 24, 2011

The Day After...how ugly it is. Not much left among the rubble. Mets will look to cut payroll next year, which is expected to be under $100M. For those of you who feel that the Mets would look to sign Jose Reyes, better start accepting the fact that he will be gone, at the very least, at season's end - if not by July 31st.

In an SI article, Wilpon finally admits the financial dire straits the franchise is in, and that he will need to cut payroll...significantly.

As for Reyes, Dave Lennon tweets that in the SI story, Coupon refers to his STAR SHORTSTOP not by name, but as "the shortstop."

Not to worry Mets fans, just wait til later this year, or next year (and for many years to come) we will see FMart limping in RF hitting .196, Ruben Tejada playing a solid SS and hitting a robust .221, and Jason Bay, if unable to be traded, making a lot of money, playing hard, and hitting 7 HR's a year while hitting .229. This is what it's coming to. Damn shame. If this joke of an ownership would have faced facts years ago, this probably could have been avoided.



The Titanic lineup Vs. the Cubs:

1. Reyes - SS
2. Murphy - 1B
3. Beltran - RF
4. Bay - LF
5. Turner - 3B
6. Harris - CF
7. Paulino - C
8. Tejada - 2B
9. Niese

Mets Baseball: The Day After Wilpon’s Comments Became Public

We’ve all read, heard, seen, etc the comments the Mets owner, Fred Wilpon made about his team. There were such comments that the Mets are a sh!@y team, Carlos Beltran was overpaid at $119M and the person who signed him was a “schmuck,” David Wright is not a “Superstar,” and Jose Reyes isn’t going to get Carl Crawford money.

I didn’t regard Wilpon’s comments as inflammatory as most of the press, but what I did take from it isn’t necessarily positive.

The least inflammatory comment was the one he made about David Wright. Nice kid, good ballplayer, but no superstar. All comments are very true. Problem is that Wright has been the biggest “Yes” man since Dave Howard and Jay Horwitz.

Wright is the face of the franchise, and although he isn’t a “Superstar,” he has portrayed a clean image, is amenable to the press, and does countless good will and charitable functions. Why would the Mets risk that? Wright’s response (in part) saying Fred is a good man and he is going through a lot speaks volumes – especially when Wright said he would offer no further comment. I have never thought much of the Wilpon’s as owners of this team, and have thought less of their understanding of the Mets and their fans.

Jose Reyes: To my knowledge, there have been no formal contract meetings between Reyes and the Mets. The press has concocted the Carl Crawford contract comparison. Would Reyes like that money? I’m sure he would, but has he actually asked for that kind of scratch? Who knows? The Mets are alienating their best player, who always gives his all, despite some lapses in judgment. If they are looking to trade Reyes and “all his injuries,” why make a comment that could harm his trade value?

Carlos Beltran: Beltran has been nothing short of classy and professional not only during his tenure in Flushing, but throughout his career. No, he isn’t the player he was in 2006, but he has battled injuries, played through them, and has had some solid seasons. He has earned the right not to be treated this way, especially publicly.

Remember the collision with Mike Cameron in 2005? Carlos played with fractured bones in his face because the Mets were competitive. Even with his disagreement with the organization on getting his knee operated on prior to the 2010 season – he had been injured since the summer, and the Mets, their doctors, and medical staff did nothing. It’s his knee, so he had every right to get the problem corrected. He is playing well this year. Would he have if he hadn’t had the surgery? Doubtful.

The second part where Wilpon says “some schmuck” – although he intended it to be self deprecating, I believe that was a shot at Omar Minaya. Problem is, when Omar was courting Beltran, he was in constant contact with Jeff Wilpon, who along with Bernazard and other’s visited Beltran in Puerto Rico.

Fred has been in hiding since the article by Jeffrey Toobin became public, but he sent his son Jeff to reach out to the three Met players mentioned in the piece. Why didn’t Fred do that? Why didn’t Fred offer a statement like Ken Davidoff wrote in today’s Newsday?

I’m sure the senior Wilpon will address his dysfunctional family today in Chicago, but as usual with this ownership, they have no clue how to deal with people; not their players and certainly not their fans. Yesterday, today, and tomorrow – there’s no difference. This ownership is brain dead when it comes to understanding what it takes to communicate effectively with the players, the press, and the fans. There is no hope. Whether it’s building a beautiful stadium to commemorate the team that left Brooklyn after the 1957 season, hammering his players that have been loyal to him, to allowing this sinking ship to take on water, this ownership is beyond clueless.

They have done well, and are second to none in charitable actions, and have been better this year in offering fans free tickets to games attended in the inclement weather over the last week, but that hardly makes up for this mess that they are tied up in.

Do I feel sorry for them? Not one iota. They created this PR nightmare years ago, and haven’t learned. What is it they say about doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results? Oh yeah, that’s insanity.

Wright no superstar? Reyes not worth $142M? Tell us something we don’t know

Nothing like a little fodder on an off day.  The Media is going nuts with the Fred Wilpon story in the New Yorker which if you have 20 minutes you can read it here. Beltran,Reyes and Wright were dissed but I will chat about Reyes and Wright since Beltran is a goner no matter what.  

The story is a Freddie life story and everyone is up in arms about 100 words of the story. "He thinks he’s going to get Carl Crawford money,” Wilpon said, referring to Crawford's seven-year, $142 million contract with the Boston Red Sox. “He’s had everything wrong with him. He won’t get it.”

On  David Wright: "Really good kid. A very good player. Not a superstar."

What is so shocking…??  Wright is no superstar..He might have been but he isn’t now.  He never has been clutch.   As the Bitter Bill mentions in his piece today would Wright get hits like Justin Turner has in those Clutch 2 out rbi situations?  Of course Turner is no Wright but he has never been clutch.  

On Reyes?  7 years 142M?   Crawford isn’t worth that and Reyes isn’t either. How do you give 7 years based on legs?  Reyes is awesome I agree but 5 years maybe.  Plus you know if Jose does get a deal like that Fred would be first guy to wish him well. Its not a hit on Reyes its just how Fred sees it. Nothing wrong with an opinion and if Reyes takes it to heart that is his issue.

Fred should be commended for being honest.  He has no filter.  People expect the 74 year old guy to be more understanding?  Hello were you ever at Citi Field in 2009?  The thing was a Dodger shrine. He couldn’t get his team stadium right and you expect him to be all soft and cuddly to his players?   Good job Fred  !!  Cant wait to hear what you have to say about Jason Bay…

*** BREAKING NEWS: FORMER MET GARY CARTER DIAGNOSED WITH SMALL TUMORS ON THE BRAIN ***

The NY Daily News is reporting that former Mets catcher and Hall Of Famer Gary Carter has been diagnosed with small tumors on his brain. As reported by the News:

"Mets Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter has been diagnosed with four small tumors on his brain and will be going to Duke University Hospital for surgery in the next day or so..."

Carter had been suffering from headaches and some memory loss of late. It is not known if the tumors are benign or malignant, and won't be known until he undergoes surgery next week.


Our well wishes and prayers go out to Gary Carter, his wife Sandy and their family.

Subway Smackdown: Mets Take Game 1 From Yankees

Let me start off by saying this (as I have said millions of times): I don't like inter-league play, and I especially hate the Subway Series.

Major League Baseball forces these fabricated rivalries. I understand that Mets-Yankees, Cubs-White Sox makes a ton of money for the teams and the league, but do you really think that that there is a rivalry between: St. Louis-Kansas City?; Florida-Tampa Bay?; Dodgers-Angels?; Nationals-Orioles?; Houston-Rangers?; etc. Absolutely not.

All that being said, last night was a real good game between the Mets and Yankees, and not just because the Mets won.



RA Dickey pitched well, and out of trouble at times. He benefited from a slick defensive play by Mets SS (for now) Jose Reyes. Once again Reyes is proving his worth, and most likely ensuring his wealth with his play this year. Although he went 0-4, Reyes played very well in the field. He was charged with a bogus error when he made a throw to first where Murphy did his best Herman Munster impersonation with his footwork, and was allegedly pulled off the bag on Bret Gardiner's grounder.

Justin Turner tied the game at 1 with a double in the fourth inning. It was his sixth consecutive game with an RBI, which ties the Mets rookie record set by Ron Swoboda in 1965. The Yankees had taken a 1-0 lead in the third inning when Mark Teixeira hit a shallow fly ball to RF which barely carried over the outstretched glove of Carlos Beltran.



After Reyes' play on A-Roid in the fifth, Murphy took Yankee starter Freddy Garcia yard on a shot to RF that landed about 20 rows back.

With the win, the Mets return to the .500 mark at 22-22, and are five games behind the division leading Cheesesteaks.

Justin Turner has been solid since he was called up. With the injury to Ike Davis, the Red Hot Red Head has gotten the opportunity to play everyday, and has turned into Clutch Carrot Top.

Be sure to take our poll on the right as to what should be Turner's nickname.

Game 2 of the Subway Smackdown will be tonight at 7:10 and will pit Chris Capuano against AJ Burnett.

Source: ESPN